custom & excise rates on parcels from internet shopping

smudger


Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
05/03/2012 21:57

I BUY A LOT OFF THE INTERNET, SO IT IS POSTED TO GIRNE POST OFFICE. SOME OF IT IS TRANSFERRED TO LAPTER POST OFFICE, BUT SOME I HAVE TO PICK UP FROM GIRNE CUSTOMS OFFICE. THE RATE OF TAX THEY CHARGE IS MORE THAN THE COST OF THE ITEM. COULD ANYONE TELL ME HOW THEY WORK IT OUT?.

THE COST OF POSTAGE IS VERY HIGH, SO TO BE RIPPED OFF WITH CUSTOMS TAX AS WELL, MAKES IT VERY EXPENSIVE SHOPPING.

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 08:17

It must depend on what you are buying and it's value. I also have quite a few things I buy on the internet, and like you some go to Girne. I always take my invoice/receipt in with me, they look at it and charge me 1 lira, but then the value of my goods are never very high.

Agobard


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 08:51

Don't know where you are buying from but might be worth getting stuff sent to the south if it is coming from the EU. You can, for instance, order from Amazon a lot of stuff which they won't send here but will send throughout the EU. You can get them to send c/o DHL and go and collect when it arrives. DHL's office is quite close to Orphanides, easy to get to and no duty to pay.

rowan


Joined: 04/09/2008
Posts: 450

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 10:40

smudger:

How do you find out that the parcel has arrived at the customs office?

Where in GIRNE is the customs office?

This information will be handy because, I too live in LAPTA and am awaiting a delivery.

muffin


Joined: 03/07/2010
Posts: 83

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 10:44

Looking to bring a carton of bedding/towels from UK, do you have contact details DHL?

metin


Joined: 08/09/2008
Posts: 1588

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 10:56

Rowan,

you get a piece of paper telling you its at customs (normally in your PO Box if you have one). Customs is beneath the main Post Office in Girne.

Amounts they charge are basically up to what mood they are in that day. A bit like crossing to the South. Be friendly and smile, a little bit of Turkish spoken also helps.

Good luck

slatnumber7


Joined: 25/08/2010
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 12:24

muffin Msg 5. Contact links for both RoC and 'Kuzey Kibris'.



http://www.dhl.com/wrd/cy.html

http://www.dhl.com/wrd/office/cy.html

http://www.cypyp.com/datashipping.htm



Good Luck

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
06/03/2012 16:06

Muffin, be careful - may be check out how much it would cost to have it sent as extra luggage by plane (if you can find someone willing to help you with this), it might be cheaper.



The reason I say be careful is because I've had a lot of things sent via DHL, they're still subject to being stopped by customs and charged and if they're stopped through a courier you then have additional stoppage charges to pay (around 120tl). It may be easier to give the direct address of Girne post office cos they have a customs officer sitting there to work out the charge and it's always much more reasonable (you won't have the stoppages either). With DHL they'll pay all the fees for you and then tell you how much you owe, and if you question it you can't get your goods!



Smudger, the amount charged will depend on the value and where it originated from - if made in Asia, China, India for example, there's an further 6% on top of the usual rate.